BY ALEX ALAGON
NOPE, it’s not that English expression popularly used in the cartoon comics section long ago to denote a sense of exasperation. What I mean to refer to is the thin silver lining one tends to overlook when we grieve at the loss of a loved one.
Not that I intend to downplay the gravity of that loss. It’s just that, no matter how deep our sorrow is, surely there’s a certain comfort in the thought that, despite everything, all things, including grief, must pass and only we remain. While this may sound like a callous thing to say, precisely how we deal with that, especially in the middle of that storm, lingers as the only real dilemma.
I remember the time when we lost our mom in 2007; it so happened that I was the only one who couldn’t be physically present, as I was still in my second month overseas. My father had told me right away, it was alright to not fly home, as I would have to again go through stiff immigration processes, and besides, her wake was not going to take long. So, there I was, alone to deal with my silent grief. That was then.
It’s been more than a month now since my niece’s daughter passed on, and I still cannot imagine, much less fathom, just how devastating that was for her and her two remaining children, they being so far away from all of us.
I know how deeply we grieve as a family cannot possibly be equal to how she’s feeling, even up till now. It’s just as my mom had once aptly described to me, a few years before she left us. “One can never get over the loss of a son (or a daughter)”. She had to endure the deaths of two of our brothers many years back.
So, how to deal with this deep sorrow that doesn’t seem to leave? I would have to quote this verbatim from a passage I once read: “Grief is a very living thing. It visits at random. You can’t schedule it. I tried to work it away, I tried to drink it away, I booked myself like crazy. All it did was wait for me to finish. So when it shows up, however it shows up, just let it show up.”
Incidentally, no one can outrun one’s grief. No matter how one stayed busy to avoid its gripping silence, like a shadow, it’s always there … “as though sitting quietly in the corner, waiting for the moment I slowed down.” Simply put, it’s the type of ache you just cannot shoo away or ignore because it patiently waits for an unguarded moment. So when that moment comes, the most healing thing you can do is just let yourself feel it.
Out of all these, there’s another soothing perspective about losing some people we love. “One may not have fully spent their life with them, but without any doubt, they got to spend their life with you”. Missing Andrea.
THE OFFICE of the Schools Division Superintendent of Davao Oriental clarified on Wednesday that the context of the message delivered by Dr. Josephine L. Fadul, schools division superintendent, was a “light joke.”
In a statement, DepEd Davao Oriental Division said the harsh online criticisms and personal attacks directed at Fadul are “unfair, unwarranted, and uncalled for.”
“We urge the public to exercise prudence, responsibility, and sound judgment in posting comments and reactions on social media. The matter is already being addressed by the concerned personnel in the Office,” the statement said.
They explained that Fadul’s speech engaged with the athletes by asking them about Nike’s popular tagline, but when the students were unable to answer, “she briefly cracked a light joke to ease the atmosphere.”
Fadul faced backlash online after her remarks during the opening program of the 2025 Davao Oriental Provincial Athletic Meet on December 5, 2025.
In her speech, she asked the question: “Ano nga ang nike’s slogan? Ay mga bulok. Maayo ra mos dula ha.”
“The context and intent of her message have drawn attention online. While she did mention a line that is now being circulated, her intention was to inspire the athletes by emphasizing the importance of balancing academics and sports,” Deped Davao Oriental stressed.
It added that the message encouraged every young athlete to pursue excellence in both academics and sports.
Fadul, after the “dumbhead” remarks, said that winning is not everything and that character is still important.
“Dr. Josephine L. Fadul is a leader whose principles are deeply rooted in kindness, understanding, and respect. Her commitment to fair and humane treatment of all teaching and non-teaching personnel is the same level of respect she consistently extends to all learners,” Deped Davao Oriental added.
The division considered this as an isolated incident and assured that it does not diminish the commitment of the Schools Division Office.
ALMOST a majority of Filipinos (44%) believe former President Rodrigo Duterte should stay in The Hague and face charges filed against him in the International Criminal Court (ICC). Meanwhile, 41% of Filipinos think the Marcos administration should prioritize enforcing Senator Bato Dela Rosa’s potential ICC arrest warrant.
The latest Philippine Public Opinion Monitor asked respondents what they think of the ongoing ICC proceedings, including the recent rejection of the ICC Appeals Court of the former President. Duterte’s request for an interim release, as well as the recently released potential arrest warrant against Sen. Dela Rosa as a co-perpetrator during the presidency. Duterte’s war on drugs.
The non-commissioned survey, conducted from Nov. 21-28, was done through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,412 Filipinos residing in the Philippines.
The nationwide survey found that 44% of respondents think that the former president should stay in The Hague to continue to face charges for crimes against humanity, including murder, for killings related to the drug war. Meanwhile, 33% disagree, and 23% are unsure.
Across areas, support for Duterte staying in The Hague is more pronounced among Filipinos in Metro Manila (56%) and Rest of Luzon (49%). In contrast, disagreement peaks among Filipinos in Mindanao (44%) and Visayas (42%).
When asked whether President Marcos Jr. should prioritize enforcing the ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bato Dela Rosa, 2 in 5 Filipinos (41%) say he should. In contrast, 36% disagree, while 24% are unsure.
By region, support for President. Marcos Jr. to prioritize the arrest is highest in Metro Manila (57%) and the rest of Luzon (51%). In contrast, disagreement is higher among Filipinos in Visayas (38%) and Mindanao (61%).
Views on holding co-perpetrators accountable
The demand for accountability extends beyond Duterte. A majority of Filipinos (51%) still believe it is important to bring former President Duterte’s co-perpetrators to trial at the ICC for crimes against humanity related to the drug war, down 10 percentage points from April 2025. Meanwhile, 25% view their arrest as unimportant, up four points from April, while 23% remain undecided, five points higher than earlier this year.
The nationwide survey, conducted from November 21 to 28, has a margin of error of ±3% at a 95% confidence level. At the subnational level, the margin of error is ±7% for the National Capital Region, ±4% for the rest of Luzon, ±6% for the Visayas, and ±5% for Mindanao, all at the same 95% confidence level.
These findings form part of the WR Numero Philippine Public Opinion Monitor, Volume 2025, Issue 5 (November 2025 National Survey). The latest WR Numero November 2025 National Survey includes Filipinos’ latest perception on the flood corruption scandal and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure investigations, performance assessment of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, Senators, Congress, and the Judiciary, as well as views on the latest International Criminal Court proceedings, and policy priorities of Filipinos, among others.
Cebu Pacific is giving Filipino migrant workers and their families an early Christmas gift with the launch of direct service between Manila and Riyadh, offering OFWs more affordable and accessible options to travel to Saudi Arabia or be reunited with their loved ones in the Philippines.
Starting March 1, 2026, CEB will operate flights between Manila and Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, four times weekly. Manila to Riyadh flights are scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while Riyadh to Manila flights will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
“Our OFWs in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East make tremendous sacrifices to support their families and contribute to the Philippine economy. Launching our Manila–Riyadh service is one way we honor their hard work, making it easier and more affordable for them to fly home,” said Xander Lao, Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer. “We remain committed to providing reliable and accessible connections for Filipinos wherever they may be in the world.”
With CEB’s direct Manila–Riyadh route, passengers can enjoy the most affordable fares between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia—saving up to 57% on roundtrip fares compared to other travel options.
To make this route launch even more meaningful, CEB is rolling out a special seat sale from December 9 to 13 where passengers can book their flights between Manila and Riyadh for as low as PHP 1, one-way base fare exclusive of surcharges and other fees. The travel period is from March 1 to October 28, 2026, ideal for OFWs planning vacations or homecoming celebrations next year.
From December 9 to 31, passengers can also avail discounts on CEB’s Fare Bundles, allowing them to purchase flights with seat selection, meals, and baggage allowance at lower rates.
Riyadh is the fourth long-haul destination in CEB’s growing international network, joining Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Sydney and Melbourne in Australia.
The new direct flights to Riyadh will also allow more Filipinos to explore the beauty of Saudi Arabia, from its expanding cultural attractions to its modern urban destinations, as the Kingdom continues to welcome more international visitors.
Passengers may use their existing Travel Funds to book flights and avail themselves of other add-ons. CEB also offers other payment options, including credit or debit cards and e-wallets. CEB operates in 37 domestic and 27 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
- Two homes lost in Bago Aplaya fire
By Rhoda Grace B Saron
A SURGING fire raged through a residential area and destroyed two houses along Arctic Ocean Street in Barangay Bago Aplaya on Tuesday morning.
According to Fire Senior Inspector Frances Mae Sendrijas, the spokesperson for the Davao City Fire District Station, the incident was reported at 10:07 a.m. on Dec. 9, 2025, and caused about P4.5 million in property damage.
Firefighters immediately responded and brought the blaze under control by 10:38 a.m., declaring a fire-out just 20 minutes later at 10:58 a.m.
Sendrijas said the fire tragically claimed two residential structures: one one-story house and one two-storey house were totally damaged.
Despite the significant property loss, authorities confirmed there were no casualties, injuries, or fatalities reported from the incident.
However, the fire directly affected two families, comprising a total of five individuals, who are now displaced and in need of assistance.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Bureau of Fire Protection to determine the origin and circumstances that led to the destructive blaze.
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) joined the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) in honoring Filipino athletes bound for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games during the official send-off ceremony held on November 28, 2025, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The event underscored PAL’s commitment to providing comfort and convenience for the delegates of Team Philippines as they travel to Thailand for the games, which will take place from December 9 to 20.
“As our national heroes representing the country with pride, you deserve our full support and heartfelt care. At Philippine Airlines, we are deeply committed to delivering world-class service to our athletes, who embody the spirit and strength of the Filipino people,” said Alvin Miranda, PAL Vice President for Marketing.
PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio affirmed the value of the flag carrier’s backing. “Our partnership with Philippine Airlines ensures that our focus remains squarely on performance, knowing that the journey is expertly handled by the nation’s flag carrier. We thank PAL for their commitment to our athletes,” he said.
In the same event, POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino delivered an inspirational message for Team Philippines. “This is the biggest Philippine Team delegation to
the SEA Games ever,” he said. “Mabuhay ang Team Philippines!”
A handover ceremony of the Mabuhay Miles National Athlete ID Card also took center stage, marking the official activation of the specialized travel benefits for Team Philippines, setting a new standard of support for Filipino athletes.
During the program, the athletes and coaches received their Mabuhay Miles National Athlete ID cards, granting them immediate access to Philippine Airlines’ exclusive travel privileges for official PSC-endorsed competitions. The PAL-PSC partnership is designed to directly support the logistical needs of the Philippine delegation, featuring exclusive benefits for national athletes and coaches endorsed by the Commission and traveling to official agency-approved competitions.
Among these exclusive benefits are extra baggage allowance for essential sports equipment, waiver of first rebooking fees for select SEA Games 2025 tickets, and elevated service for national athletes on PAL flights. Medal-winning athletes will also receive Mabuhay Miles Rewards.
Departure of Team Philippines for Thailand via Philippine Airlines, the official airline sponsor of the PSC, has started. The flag carrier’s support for the 2025 SEA Games marks the beginning of a three-year partnership with the PSC, running from October 2025 to October 2028 – a collaboration that will soar all the way to the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
Empowering every venture, every person: 917Ventures is officially a Great Place to Work® for 2025–2026.
917Ventures has officially been recognized as a Great Place to Work® in the Philippines for 2025–2026, a distinction that comes directly from the voices of its employees. This certification highlights a thriving workplace culture built on trust, collaboration, and innovation, where every team member is empowered to grow, experiment, and make a meaningful impact.
The achievement comes shortly after Globe received its own Great Place to Work® recognition, highlighting the shared people-first values and cultural alignment that run across the Globe Group. As the Group’s venture builder, 917Ventures continues to cultivate a workplace where experimentation is encouraged, creativity thrives, and growth opportunities are available for every team member. Employees are empowered to take initiative, learn from challenges, and actively shape the future of the ventures they support.
Employee survey results show that 89 percent of 917Ventures staff consider it a great place to work, significantly higher than the 65 percent benchmark for companies in the Philippines. These results reflect not only the high level of trust employees place in leadership but also the strong collaboration, engagement, and sense of shared purpose that define the organization.
Voices from 917Ventures
Vince Yamat, President and CEO of 917Ventures, said, “We’re honored to receive this recognition, especially because it comes directly from our people. At 917Ventures, our culture is built on collaboration, experimentation, and shared purpose. This certification reflects the heart of our team, and motivates us to keep building a workplace where every venture can thrive.”
Rase Eustaquio, Head of People, added, “This certification affirms our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for every talent. Our people are the core of everything we do, and we’re proud to build a workplace that supports growth, wellbeing, and meaningful impact.”
This recognition strengthens 917Ventures’ position as a hub for innovation and talent development while complementing Globe’s ongoing cultural transformation. Professionals who want to be part of a dynamic, people-driven environment are encouraged to explore opportunities with 917Ventures through https://917ventures.com/careers.
Manila, Philippines – 2GO Group, Inc., the country’s leading logistics solutions provider, has been recognized with two distinguished honors at the 2025 World Business Outlook Awards: the Outstanding Maritime and Shipping Services Award Philippines 2025 and the Best Innovation in Freight and Cargo Solutions Philippines 2025.
World Business Outlook is a global business publication that recognizes leadership, innovation, and excellence across industries and regions. Its annual awards program celebrates companies, institutions, and individuals that have demonstrated exceptional performance, pioneering solutions, and meaningful impact worldwide.
2GO received the Outstanding Maritime and Shipping Services Award Philippines 2025 for its superior service, operational excellence, and contribution to the growth of the Philippine maritime and shipping sector. The Best Innovation in Freight and Cargo Solutions Philippines 2025 recognizes 2GO’s forward-thinking approach to transforming freight and cargo logistics through technology, process efficiency, and integrated service solutions that create value for customers and industries.
“These recognitions affirm 2GO’s commitment to building a stronger and more connected Philippines,” said Frederic DyBuncio, President and CEO of 2GO Group, Inc. “We take pride in serving the country’s logistics and maritime sectors, supporting commerce, tourism, and communities across the islands. These awards inspire us to keep innovating, modernizing our assets, and delivering reliable, customer-focused services that help drive national progress.”
Will Howell, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of 2GO Group, Inc., added, “These honors come at an exciting time for 2GO as we continue to grow our network, enhance our logistics capabilities, and expand service offerings that enable businesses nationwide. We are improving our logistics solutions, developing more efficient routes, building strong partnerships, and investing in new facilities that will allow industries to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and competitive business environment.”
2GO Group operates one of the Philippines’ largest integrated supply chain networks, offering a broad range of services that include passenger and cargo shipping, freight forwarding, cold chain solutions, e-commerce logistics, and warehouse management. Its maritime operations connect key islands and trade routes, while its logistics capabilities serve diverse industries from retail and manufacturing to food, pharmaceuticals, and project logistics.
These awards reinforce 2GO Group’s position as a leader in maritime and logistics services in the Philippines, emphasizing the company’s focus on operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth. Recognition from an international organization such as World Business Outlook highlights 2GO’s alignment with global best practices and its continued commitment to raising industry standards.
Cebu City, Philippines– NUSTAR Resort Cebu invites guests to welcome a hopeful new year as it lights up the Boardwalk with “Carnaval de Luz” on December 31, 2025. This year’s celebration brings together vibrant live entertainment, Instagram-worthy setups, and themed zones, creating a coastal destination where families and friends can welcome 2026 in a bright and uplifting atmosphere.
A Night of Light and Hope
The celebration will begin at 9:30 PM, with guests enjoying an energetic evening led by Elmer Dado & Gruppo Tribale, joined by samba dancers, poi and hoop performers, and roving entertainers. Raffle draws will take place throughout the evening.
At midnight, guests can look forward to a spectacular pyro-musical show featuring a pyrobird that will light up the sky. This year’s theme puts forward a message of light and renewed hope, acknowledging the challenges of the past year while guiding us into 2026 with a renewed sense of optimism. Carnaval de Luz embodies this spirit by transforming the NUSTAR Boardwalk into a vibrant, welcoming space where families and friends can gather, reconnect, and celebrate new beginnings. Following the fireworks display, DJ Kit will keep the celebration alive with a high-energy after-midnight set.
Admission and Ticket Purchase
Admission is priced at PHP 988 per person and includes two drinks, entertainment, and entry to the raffle draws. Hotel and dining guests may join the celebration for PHP 600 per person, subject to a minimum spend of PHP 1,500 for dining guests at select NUSTAR restaurants. Children aged 11 and below may enter free of charge.
Tickets can be purchased starting December 6 via nstr.ph/NYE2025 or visit us at the Fili Lobby and Casino Entrance. You may also contact events@nustar.com.ph, 0999 995 7512, or (032) 888 8282. Guests with hotel or restaurant reservations may arrange passes through their booking channels, while NUSTAR Rewards Members can redeem passes using points.
Convenient Access and Free Shuttle Services
Enjoy a comfortable and convenient ride to the New Year’s Eve celebration at NUSTAR Resort Cebu with our expanded complimentary shuttle services. Guests can get to NUSTAR from these key locations: Paseo Arcenas, Banawa; Vibo Place, Escario; Gaisano Country Mall, Banilad; Oakridge, Mandaue; South Town Centre, Tabunok; Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and more.
Countdown to 2026 at NUSTAR
With coastal views, immersive themed zones, and performances for all ages, NUSTAR’s Carnaval de Luz is the premier destination for families and friends celebrating New Year’s Eve in Cebu. Celebrating light, hope, and the joy of togetherness, the event promises a warm and inspiring start to 2026.
For more information, visit www.nustar.ph or call (032) 888 8282.
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